New Emergency services facility a major boost for Ku-ring-gai Volunteers

Summary

NSW Premier and local MP Barry O’Farrell and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher officially opened the new state of the art Emergency Service facility for Ku-ring-gai today.

 “The Ku-ring-gai Joint Facility, which houses the local NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW State Emergency Service units will be a tremendous boost for both the local community and the dedicated volunteers who serve it,” said Mr O’Farrell, who was also joined by RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, SES Commissioner Murray Kear and a number of volunteers.

 
“The development of these first class buildings demonstrates the NSW Government and community-wide support for their local NSW RFS brigades and NSW SES units,” he said. 
 
"These facilities are a major step up for the volunteers and provide a coordinated base from which they can do their important work in protecting their community from fire, storms and floods.
 
“I've seen firsthand how these men and women give up time away from their businesses, jobs, families and friends to volunteer with the NSW RFS and NSW SES. 
 
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to ensuring our volunteers have the appropriate equipment and facilities to help them do that work," he said. 
 
Mr Gallacher said the new joint complex was designed to meet the needs of the busy NSW RFS Brigade and NSW SES unit.
 
"This new building has the latest equipment including 4 bays to house emergency response vehicles, kitchenette, office and a training room. 
 
NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the new complex is a credit to the local community that helped raise more than $160,000 towards building this community asset. 
 
“The new facilities will serve as a focal point for operations, logistics and community information to help provide streamlined, coordinated emergency services to the people of Ku-ring-gai and beyond
 
“At the former Station, which was more than three decades old, Brigade members waited on call in one location, with equipment stored offsite. 
 
With the Station and storage areas located under the one roof, volunteers have all their equipment at their fingertips, helping them quickly respond to emergencies such as fires or car accidents. 
 
“This is particularly important given the high bush fire risk in the Ku-ring-gai area.
 
"I'm proud to see these deserving volunteers officially take charge of this new joint facility," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said. 
 
NSW SES Commissioner Murray Kear welcomed the opening of complex.
 
“The NSW SES Ku-ring-gai Unit is one of the state’s busiest teams, responding to many storm jobs, helping their NSW RFS colleagues with bushfire support and assisting other emergency services with searches. This new facility will ensure the Ku-ring-gai members can continue to serve their community,” Commissioner Kear said.
 
“The Ku-ring-gai members are highly trained to help keep their community safe in times of emergency and they are a prime example of the dedicated 10,000 volunteers the NSW SES has across the state,” he said. 
 
“I would encourage everyone to recognise the tremendous work of the Ku-ring-gai volunteers and consider joining the NSW SES to become more involved in their local communities.”

Contact Name: State Media Duty Officer

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